Just wanted to say thank you again for the advice before we left, it came in really useful. I loved watching the Red squirrels, they were really quite comical, although a squirrel swimming would have to be a first for me. I know what you mean about the pigeons flying. We always knew something was about by the way all the other birds reacted, we just couldn't always spot what was making the fuss! Now I have to make the big decision of where to go on my next holiday!!! Regards Debbie

Thank you for the nice comment on my Redkite. That one was taken at a feeding farm in Wales with about 300 of them, so I have several really good photo's. But I think my favourite one is when I was driving along a small road and saw a crow attacking one. I jumped out of the car to watch and as always had my camera on the back seat, when it turned and came straight over our us, so it's head on.

Thanks for the nuthatch comment Debsie. It has been back a few times and last visited yesterday. Our garden is tiny and the nearest oaks are at least a hundred yards away so I was very surprised (and delighted) to see this bird.

Chaz

Hi Chaz, Yes I've done Minsmere several times as it's only 35 min from where I live and I've been to Dunwich as well, but haven't ever had any luck there. But this place was Westleton nature reserve which I didn't even know existed, is this where you went? found a link to it on the internet Natural England - Westleton Heath NNR
Weather permitting I'll be popping back next week and spending a bit more time there.

Nice to see your dartford pictures Debsie. Sue and I "did" the reserve at Dunwich in the spring. We walked all round, taking over an hour and saw nothing but a kestrel until in the last few yards seeing stonechats, a pair of wheatears and a couple of dartfords. My dartford snaps were too blurred to use but i did get some nice ones of a wheatear.
Did you do nearby Minsmere as well?

Chaz

I have been to The IOW many times,
One of my favourite places. September should be good.

Newtown Harbour for ducks and waders - Brent Geese
To the west the Hamstead Trail (woods and creeks)

The Tennyson Trail from Freshwater Bay to The Needles
Fulmar, ravens, stonechats etc
Headon Warren, just to the north best place for dartfords
(you need luck - didn’t do well last winter)

St Catherine’s Point good for departing migrants.

On the east side Bembridge Harbour along with the marsh inland
Ventnor pleasant town, the coastline either side charming
excellent walk to the east to Luccombe Chine
Undercliff and Landslip are magical
Sandown and Shanklin are best avoided but NE is
Bembridge Down & Culver Cliff worthwhile

IOW has network of footpaths
OS Explorer sheet OL29
No dartfords on the Island? take ferry from Yarmouth
to Lymington walk the coastal path west
likely spots are close to Lymington
or at the Keyhaven end
Hope that gives you a few ideas?

Just tried to send you two messages about the IOW, both appear to have failed. i will send you details tomorrow evening.
Chaz

Yes Chaz, message received. Just on your site, if you want to send a message to me you have to click on my name.

Thank you for all your lovely comments and advice on my photo's. But don't think that means I've forgiven you for getting a photo of a Cuckoo, Dartford Warbler, or a Bittern!!!!!! Especially the Bittern, as Minsmere is my favourite haunt . I've lost count how many times I've been there and not seen one.